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Online now: 2 members: TABLE SETTER 11, mello24; 59 anonymousDiscussion: Eye Shield on a Pitching or Fielding Mask
| Posted | Discussion |
| Jan. 20, 2020 USAMTZ Men's 55 20 posts | Eye Shield on a Pitching or Fielding Mask Last weekend at the Top Gun in AZ an umpire on day 2 told me that I had to remove my polarized shield from my Worth Pitching Mask/Helmet. I asked why? And, I was told that "it is illegal and not allowed". I asked as of when? Then I was told "Starting this year!" I read through the minutes of the December 2019 Meeting and I do not see any mention of anything pertaining to masks and/or eye protection and I have used this same polarized shield in SSUSA since 2012. This makes no sense why he would say this, already tough at times wearing a mask and not having a visor to knock down the sun and remove glare. Plus, many players play in sunglasses, so what would be the difference? BTW - I have never seen or had this umpire before. Am I missing something here? Has anyone else heard of this? I thought the point is to use equipment to make things safer to keep us on the field and playing. G |
| Jan. 20, 2020 DaveDowell Men's 70 4318 posts | It appears highly likely you were victimized by a "..let's make it up on the fly, as we go, totally uninformed umpire.." ... Not sure I can make it any more clear than that ... Please accept our apologies ... |
| Jan. 20, 2020 USAMTZ Men's 55 20 posts | Thanks Dave. I was hoping that is all it was. Take Care, Glen |
| Jan. 20, 2020 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | How bizarre! I have experienced teams incorrectly complaining to the ump that something was not allowable (uniform, large glove, no knee guard, pitching too far back at 56 feet, etc.) but why would a team complain about a pitcher dealing with sun in his face? Because they didn't think of it? And if it wasn't a team complaining, trying to trick the umpire, what possible umpire would independently call a player on such a thing and then make up a rule? Dave's suggestion of "totally uninformed" makes some sense, but usually an ump will cover himself with that only when he is on the spot after accepting some team's bogus complaint. |
| Jan. 21, 2020 BH44 Men's 50 74 posts | The only I time I have seen teams complain about a pitcher wearing a shield on their helmet is when it is mirrored and the sun at that time of the day is reflecting off back at the batter. |
| Jan. 21, 2020 USAMTZ Men's 55 20 posts | Omar, The other team had nothing to do with it. It was odd, game was starting and I was walking to the rubber with my helmet under my arm. The umpire(who I had never seen before) walked toward me and told me that I had to remove it! I hadn't even put it on, thrown 1 warm up pitch, etc. The other team was totally unaware, in fact as a courtesy I approached the opposing manager and asked him if it would bother them. He said "you having a visor will not be a factor in us winning or losing this game, I am ok with it" In 8 years of playing SSUSA, I have never heard of anyone complaining about visors, that is why I was stumped about him saying it was a new rule this year. Oh well, hopefully in the future this guy can just stick to calling the game and nothing else. |
